Solar Panel Cost Guide in Williamstown, KY (2024 Update)
- Williamstown Solar Installation Cost: $24,680
- 25-Year Savings: $21,353
- Payback Period: 16.6 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Williamstown
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Williamstown.
In Williamstown, solar panels cost about 4 per watt on average.Because a 9.7-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Williamstown, the average price of going solar will be about $24,680 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
Remember that the numbers above are only averages. The price you’ll pay for solar will differ based on your household energy consumption, the type of equipment you choose, your solar contractor and more.But, after you've paid the initial cost of installation, the savings for most homeowners is usually fruitful, with a net average savings of about $15,000 over 20 years on power bills.
Click the button below to get connected to a vetted solar company in your area for a customized estimate.
Solar savings over time in Williamstown
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-23,393 |
| 3 years | $-20,819 |
| 5 years | $-18,246 |
| 7 years | $-15,672 |
| 9 years | $-13,099 |
| 11 years | $-10,525 |
| 13 years | $-7,952 |
| 15 years | $-5,378 |
| 17 years | $-2,805 |
| 19 years | $-231 |
| 21 years | $2,342 |
| 23 years | $4,916 |
| 25 years | $7,489 |
Top Solar Installers in Williamstown
Installing solar panels yourself can be a stressful task, which is why using a solar installer is a good option for many homeowners. Another great thing about choosing a reliable solar installer is that it'll provide warranties and free repairs, which help protect your investment.
If you’d like to switch to solar energy but still aren’t sure which solar panel company to go with, here are our recommendations for providers nearby:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Williamstown
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Williamstown
The cost of installing a solar system in Williamstown can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost depends on several factors. The biggest one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar panel system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, you can expect your total to increase by around $3,650. The brand and type of equipment you want for your solar system can raise or lower the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these are often more expensive than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you’re opting for high efficiency because you have limited roof space or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Plus, if you want additional equipment like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a solid route because they lower your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.You’ll have to consider the long-term cost of financing options, including the total interest you’ll pay over the length of the loan. If you can only get a high-interest loan, then your total can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars above the equipment and labor cost. Making a larger down payment or securing a solar loan with a low interest rate could reduce your costs remarkably.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Williamstown is the company you hire to install your solar system. Similar to choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for example, there’s no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services for different budgets.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally cost more. It’s best to do some research and decide on the company that offers the products, warranties and services you’re looking for and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.80 | $15,943 | $7,148 | 17.3 years |
| 8 kW | $3.72 | $20,849 | $9,940 | 16.9 years |
| 10 kW | $3.65 | $25,550 | $12,936 | 16.6 years |
| 12 kW | $3.58 | $30,047 | $16,136 | 16.3 years |
| 14 kW | $3.50 | $34,339 | $19,541 | 15.9 years |
| 16 kW | $3.43 | $38,427 | $23,150 | 15.6 years |
| 18 kW | $3.36 | $42,311 | $26,963 | 15.3 years |
| 20 kW | $3.29 | $45,990 | $30,981 | 14.9 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
There are many solar installers to choose from, all of which offer different warranties, solar panel brands and price points. To help you select the right company for you, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a respected certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a solid reputation and is qualified to get the job done well. Another way you can check your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
- Contract: Read the contract terms thoroughly to make sure you understand the overall cost, project completion timeline rebates and warranties.
- Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will offer various brands and kinds of panels. If you prefer a specific brand, make sure the solar panel company you’re considering has it.
- Warranty: Warranties that cover defective panels and repairs over a long period of time such as 25 years are the best you can get in the business, and offering such a warranty is one sign of a quality company.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Williamstown, KY Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Williamstown?
This is a difficult question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $18,250 for a 5-kW system and $36,500 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want additional solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy needs. On the other hand, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
Are solar panels free in Williamstown?
Solar panels aren’t free in Williamstown, but there are some options that can make getting them more viable, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.
Do solar panels increase the value of your home?
Solar panels can increase your home value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t choose a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% after installing a solar system."
How many solar panels should I get to power my home?
To figure out how many solar panels you need, you should find out how much energy your home uses and how much sunlight your home gets. For a general estimate, however, since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watt-hours per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.